The National tribune., 1887-07-14
AFTER A BEGUN.
The Pursuit Of Honey Under Difficulties.

EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: was one Of
"Sherman's bummers" / was with him when
he "retreated from Atlanta TO the sea. and
when he "fell back " from Savannah to Ra-
leigh. Shortly after Atlanta had fallen into
the hands OF Sherman and his army Of scala
wags, bummers. cotfce-coolers. bounty Jumpers
and dregs Of creation" there was a fOraging
party sent 10 obtain food for the starving ami
mails and hungry loafers. The train consisted
OF some 20 wagons and an escort which con-
sisted of one brigade of bummers, i being
one OF the number. The train started one
fine morning up the ChattahoOchee River. We
had 10 travel about 80 miles up the river before
we found anything fit for supplies, but at last
we reached the promised land. This seemed 10
me 10 be land of plenty, for we halted on a
very large plantation. wheTo we found such q
supply OF corn as made the poor dOnkeys bray
al even seeing IT, There was a large patch of
sweet potatoes and all kinds of poultry in large
hocks-in fact, everything 10 make hummer
smile. IL was there first heard the turkeys
gObble" and saw the "sweet potatoes fairly
starting from the ground"
We were getting on finely, until some scala
wag thought he would like 10 have some honey.
he picked up bee-gum sitting in the back
yard and started of with il. but these were
rebel bees and refused to be taken by any such
looking fellows as we were, and they soon sent
out their sharpshooters and began furious at
jumper held the fort only few minutes, when
he thought the enemy's forces too strong, and
like brave soldier retreated while in a condi-
ton 10 see his way clear. He dropped the
" fort" in the yard, which caused others to
make a change Of position.
The party most concerned in the move was
Lieutenant of the patrol guard, who was near
by when the bees made an attack on all living
things in that vicinity, and they made things
lxr fpra min rka 4 nt
that he would arrest the thoughtless man who
caused this unnecessary fight. Being possessed
of sweet tooth " and love of adventure,
thought would renew the contest and capture
the coveted prize; so / got bundle of corn
fodder and set il on fire and made n smoke.
Carrying it in my hand / walked 10 the gum,
and picking il up started of with it. / had
not gone far when i heard the word, Halt
there!" On looking round l saw the Lieuten-
ant of the guard, who ordered me 10 drop
that" and consider myself under arrest"
Before ! had time 10 obey him ] saw that had
all the advantage on my side, for the bees were
making it very warm for him, and in a mo-
ment he was in full retreat, striking right and
left 20 ward of the stiDgs. He yelled 10 bis
men 10 arrest me. but they made a very feeble
attempt and soon followed their leader in hasty
retreat, and i had full possession of tho field.
began 10 tantalize the young officer by tell
ing him that if be wanted the bce-gum worse
than / did TO come and get il, Int he never
came. ! then said that if he could not face
rebel bullets better than he did rebel bees,
Uncle Sam had not much use for him. Then
the bummers all yelled in great glee TO see tho
young Lieutenant and his guard disappear
around the corner Of the house. / carried my
prize into a neighboring thicket and took out
some Of the finest honey that i ever saw.-D.
b. BAKER Co. ID, LIST Mo. Eng, Van Couyer,
w. Il.